Dual frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mission for monitoring Earth

Advances in spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing technology make it possible to acquire global-scale data sets that provide unique information about the Earth's continually changing surface characteristics. Short duration missions such as the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) have established the vast potential of SAR for expanding our knowledge of Earth. A long-duration (/spl ges/5 year) free-flying SAR mission is essential to routinely provide valuable information about the dynamic characteristics of our planet. The SAR mission concept, consists of a dual frequency, polarimetric, interferometric system that has broad scientific, environmental preservation, operational, and commercial utility. A feature that greatly reduces the potential for tasking conflicts is the instrument's ability to operate both frequencies independently and simultaneously. The implementation approach includes an innovative government-industry collaboration that has the potential to lead to the creation of new information industries, in a manner similar to the Internet, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and commercial space telecommunications.